Hambiyev: Zakayev may soon return

Dzokhar-Khala/Agency Caucasus –Prime Minister Ahmed Zakayev of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria might soon return to Chechnya, said Magomed Hambiyev, former Defence Minister of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria.

Magomed Hambiyev has made a number of attempts since August 3 to talk the Chechen leaders in Europe into returning to the homeland. He succeeded in persuading his brother Umar Hambiyev, former Minister of Health of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria, to come back to Chechnya.    

Ahmed Zakayev thought of returning to his homeland and would disclose his eventual decision in September, Magomed Hambiyev told the Gazeta newspaper.

“Zakayev was unable to meet with me in because he had a few problems with his international travel documents. I met with his aide instead. I afterwards talked to Zakayev on the phone. He promised that he would make his eventual decision in September,” Magomed Hambiyev told Gazeta.   

“Ramzan Kadyrov, Russian-backed President of Chechnya, promised that Zakayev, among other leaders of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria, would enjoy a guarantee of security if they returned home, according to Magomed Hambiyev.

“They can freely return to their homeland, nobody will follow them. This is a promise from our President of Chechnya,” Magomed Hambiyev said. “I did not have talks with the criminals. It is, however, necessary to talk to all of the Chechens living abroad.”

In spite of what Magomed Hambiyev said, it remains to be a well-known fact that Zakayev faces charges brought by the against him.

Ahmed Zakayev lives in London, capital of England. He was the Foreign Minister of the Ichkerian government, appointed by the President Aslan Maskhadov shortly after his 1997 election, and again in 2006 by Abdul Halim Sadulayev.

KU/ÖZ/FT